KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Two young men from Samangan province in northern Afghanistan died on Wednesday while trying to cross the Iran-Turkey border, local sources said.
The men, identified as Ahmad Walid and Shafiqullah, were reportedly trying to migrate illegally to Turkey. The exact circumstances of their deaths remain unclear. Some sources said they were shot by Turkish border guards, while others claimed their vehicle overturned during the crossing.
Afghans continue to leave the country in large numbers due to economic hardship, lack of employment opportunities, political instability, and fears of persecution. While some travel through legal channels, many take dangerous and illegal routes through Iran and Turkey in hopes of reaching Europe.
Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, economic conditions in Afghanistan have deteriorated sharply. International sanctions, decline in foreign aid, and restrictions on women’s access to education and employment have contributed to a growing humanitarian crisis. Millions of Afghans are now unable to meet basic needs, prompting many, particularly young men, to attempt migration despite the risks.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), around eight million Afghans have left the country since 2020, with about one million reaching European countries, most via irregular migration channels. The IOM also reports that at least 5,046 Afghan migrants have died since 2014, including many after the Taliban’s return to power.
Turkey, a key transit country for Afghan migrants, and neighboring countries have implemented stricter border controls and anti-migrant policies in recent years, resulting in the detention, deportation, and pushback of thousands of Afghan migrants. Despite these measures, economic necessity and fear of persecution continue to drive young Afghans to take life-threatening journeys abroad.
